The Do-Over (The Rooftop Crew #5) - Piper Rayne Page 0,28

someone would say it’s cool to offer a girl a free apartment, then take her on a date without her feeling as though she had no choice but to say yes. But because my friends are stand-up guys, they all agree with Seth. And then it’s case closed.

I find that I’m more disappointed than I would have thought. Kamea really does have to stay in the glass box I can’t shatter—just like the fire alarms in our building.

“Let’s go paintballing this afternoon. I need to let out some aggression,” Jax says.

We all have the day off, including him and Dylan. They don’t have to go into Ink Envy until tonight—if they have appointments.

“Let’s call the girls now,” Seth says.

While they handle that I walk out of the kitchen into their expansive family room showcasing floor-to-ceiling windows.

I stare at our apartments across the way. How did I get myself into this situation? Oh right, I put myself in it. I really need to learn to stop trying to give everyone a leg up in life. For some reason, I only end up hurt.

Chapter Thirteen

Kamea

“How well do you know Leilani?” Sierra asks.

All the girls shyly look in different directions. Blanca fixes her napkin. Rian situates her water glass and mimosa glass just so. Evan bites the side of her lip and looks at her phone in her purse.

“We used to be childhood friends. We grew up together. But over the years, we’ve gone our separate ways.”

“But she called you to bail her out?” Sierra asks. I’m getting why she’s a great investigative reporter.

“I did. She’d been staying at my place for two days before that.”

She nods and places her mimosa down. “And now she’s run off, not taking your calls?”

“Seems that way.”

“I never really liked her. I’m sorry if you’re still friends with her, but the way she was with Knox pissed me off,” Sierra says.

Blanca and Rian nod.

“Dylan loathes her,” Rian says. “Like, I think he might actually knock her out if he sees her again.”

“Knox was miserable after she left the last time,” Blanca adds.

My stomach flips. So I was right. Knox loved her.

Sierra glances in my direction, her expression softer than it was a moment ago. “But that’s old news now. He’s over her.”

“Is he?” I find myself asking.

“Definitely.” Evan touches my arm. “I’m newer to the group, but I never hear him talking about her. Seth’s not a huge fan either. Says Knox was a different person when he was with her.”

“Like how?” I ask.

They all groan and look at one another as though they’re trying to figure out which one of them will answer me.

“Knox was always so protective around her. Like we were judging her, which we never were. Even when they came around, he’d barely talk to us, so concerned about her. And she would barely say a word.” Sierra speaks first, which doesn’t surprise me. She seems like she doesn’t care what others think, and since I lack that backbone, I admire it.

Blanca says, “They just kept to themselves a lot. When we got together as a group, it would usually only be Knox. And he’d make up an excuse for her not being there.”

I’m not about to say it, but I can see why Leilani might’ve been intimidated. All these women look as if they came from good homes and loving parents. Their hair is perfectly styled, and all their clothes look as though they came from trendy shops in the city. She most likely judged them—as she usually does—and set herself apart before they had the opportunity to.

“And the sex.” Rian groans and Blanca elbows her. “I mean…”

The table quiets. I sip my mimosa rather than just sit there. My curiosity is piqued. When I was really close to Leilani, we were both virgins.

“Leilani is just comfortable with herself and so is Knox, so they didn’t always find a private spot to… you know.” Sierra waves her perfectly manicured hands as though it’s no big deal.

I’m not surprised to hear that Leilani is comfortable in her body. She’s always been that way. With good reason.

“But it’s over now and here you are. We just wondered if you guys were close because you’re living with Knox now. We don’t really want her coming around and asking for her millionth chance with him,” Sierra says and smiles.

But the vision of Knox and Leilani is still in my head. I give my head a shake, swallowing my mimosa. “Right now, she’s skipped bail. Knox thought